As an AGR Soldier, How Do I Transfer My Post 9/11 GI Bill to My Son?

Q: I am an AGR Soldier, how do I transfer my GI Bill to my son who is starting school in the fall? Do I need to do anything to change to the Post 911 GI Bill? I served in Iraq in 2003-2004, do I need to buy into the program or am I entitled? Any information you can send me will be greatly appreciated.

A: As of October 1st, AGR soldiers are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. As far as how many creditable years you have, your AGR time back to September 10, 2001 counts. Before October 1st, the fact that you served in Iraq for a year would have made a difference in your eligibility for the Post 9/1 GI Bill, but after GI Bill 2.0 implementation, it neither helps or hinders your GI Bill eligibility because you are already maxed out on years.

Unlike the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is free. And if you had paid into the Montgomery GI Bill, you would be able to switch over to the New GI Bill. Once you had exhausted your switched benefits, you would get your $1,200 contribution back.

Now, let’s talk about the benefits transfer process. First, you need to have served for at least six years either on Title 10 or Title 32 AGR which it sounds like you most likely have done. Next, you need to have a 4-year enlistment extension in place at the time you make a transfer request.

Once that is in place, then go to the TEB website and enter into your son’s record how many months of benefits you wish to transfer to him. Once the status changes from “Pending Review” to “Approved”, then he must go to the eBenefits website and submit VA Form 22-1990e. In return, he will get his Certificate of Eligibility that he will needed when enrolling in school as a GI Bill student using transferred benefits.